ENDORSING ORGANIZATIONS: American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Society of Transplantation, Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, National Kidney Foundation

Dear Colleague,

Please join me in support of a resolution to designate April 2018 as “National Donate Life Month.” Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Senator Susan Collins will introduce the companion in the Senate.

Since 2003, April has been celebrated as National Donate Life Month. Every year, April serves as a chance to encourage organ and tissue donor registration, recognize people who continue to wait for a transplant, and honor both living and deceased donors
and their families.

Every ten minutes, a person is added to the national transplant waiting list. Currently, more than 110,000 individuals are awaiting an organ donation. Despite over 130 million people being registered as organ, eye, and tissue donors, the need for donated
organs outweighs the supply. Tragically, on average, 22 people die each day while waiting for a transplant.

Organ donation and transplantation saves lives. In fact, organ donation from a single deceased donor can benefit up to eight individuals. And living kidney and liver donors provide transplant candidates with the chance to live longer. Therefore, I am introducing
a resolution to recognize and support the goals and ideals of National Donate Life Month.

If you would like to be added as a cosponsor or if you have any questions, please contact Emilio Mendez at Emilio.Mendez@mail.house.gov or 5-2965.